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ICMM reports tailings compliance lower than anticipated The International Council on Mining and Metals (ICMM) has published its 2025 tailings progress report, detailing how companies are upholding the Global Industry Standard on Tailings Management (GISTM). The report collates data from members’ individual disclosures made in 2025, offering a transparent snapshot of collective progress towards full conformance as well as case studies of implementation efforts and wider work to reduce or eliminate tailings. When the GISTM was published in 2020, ICMM members committed that all applicable tailings facilities with an extreme or very high consequence...

Bell Bay gets 12-month reprieve The Tasmania Government has signed an in-principle 12-month power agreement to secure the immediate future of Rio Tinto’s (ASX: RIO) Bell Bay Aluminium smelter. The agreement will allow time for the Tasmania Government to continue to work with the company and the Federal Government on a long-term plan for the smelter. In October, the smelter’s more than 500 staff were told the future of operations were uncertain as the smelter nears the expiry of its energy supply deal with state-owned Hydro Tasmania in December. Tasmania Premier Jeremy Rockliff says the government is...

Freight operators warn proposed changes threaten industry viability Australia's freight operators have expressed concerns that proposals to curtail diesel rebates or mandate transitions to electric or alternative fuels would trigger significant cost-of-living increases and threaten the viability of thousands of small transport businesses. The warning comes as Climate Change Authority chairman Matt Kean backed calls to overhaul the diesel fuel rebate, suggesting the billions spent annually would be better directed towards electrification. However, exclusive survey data from Loadshift — a subsidiary of Freelancer Limited (ASX: FLN) and Australia’s largest online marketplace for heavy-haulage transport. —...

Chile company slashes water usage in lithium extraction Summit Nanotech has announced a major milestone in water efficiency for lithium extraction, reinforcing its position as a global leader in sustainable direct lithium extraction (DLE) technology. Independent validation confirmed that Summit’s process uses about 30% less freshwater than evaporation ponds and 50% less than commercial DLE benchmarks, while maintaining high lithium recovery and product quality. Summit Nanotech’s process has delivered consistent performance across commercially viable lithium brine assets in...

Coal mine worker’s near miss prompts safety alert Queensland’s resources safety and health regulator has issued an industry-wide safety alert after a worker was trapped between two vehicles in an incident at a Central Queensland coal mine. While reversing, a tilt tray truck came very close to a pick and carry crane, trapping a worker, who was loading rigging gear at the front of the crane, between the two vehicles. Though no one was seriously injured, this incident has raised serious safety concerns. In 2024, a worker at BMA’s Saraji South coal mine in Queensland suffered fatal crush injuries after being pinned between two vehicles. Resources Safety and Health Queensland...

Tivan and Sumitomo agree to third project collaboration Tivan and Sumitomo have signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) for the Molyhil tungsten-molybdenum project in the Northern Territory. The companies will collaborate on exploration, development planning, funding, construction, marketing and distribution and operation of the Molyhil project. Tivan executive chairman Grant Wilson comments on the agreement. “With our firmwide capabilities rapidly expanding, and with our strong relationships with local stakeholders, Tivan is ideally positioned to develop a high-value critical minerals precinct in central Australia in the years ahead,” he said. “In taking this step Tivan is also mindful of the increasing involvement of governments in...

BRAVUS backs the Cowboys from pit to port BRAVUS and the North Queensland Toyota Cowboys are ready to kick goals in 2026 under a new Platinum Partnership that includes the company’s mining, rail, port and renewables businesses. BRAVUS head of reputation Kate Campbell says the new sponsorship deal will take the powerhouse tie-up between the mine, rail, port and renewables business and the North’s favourite sporting team to its 10-year anniversary in 2028. "We are excited that our BRAVUS brand will feature on the Cowboys’ NRL jersey sleeve from next year so the 2000-plus employees from...

Sandvik’s world first battery-powered cable bolter Sandvik is expanding its industry-leading battery-electric underground drill offering to include a battery-powered cable bolter, the first of its kind. Designed for cement grouted cable-bolt installation in underground mines and tunnels, the Sandvik DS422iE is a rock reinforcement drill rig which uses lithium-iron phosphate (LFP) battery power instead of a diesel engine and offers zero emissions tramming, drilling, bolting and grouting. The LFP battery chemistry provides maximum safety underground...

Metso’s reliable power solutions for grinding mills Metso has introduced its new power transmission (MPT) engineered to meet the rigorous demands of today’s modern mineral processing operations. Featuring the H-Series and R-Series gearbox platforms specifically engineered for horizontal and vertical grinding mills, respectively, the solutions are designed to offer exceptional reliability, serviceability and OEM value in aftermarket applications. The in-house-designed power transmission solutions are engineered to integrate seamlessly with Metso grinding mills for superior performance and simplified maintenance. These benefits translate into increased operational optimisation, extended wear life, minimised downtime and enduring value that supports long-term business success. A...

Queensland Government backs energy storage solutions Queensland Government-owned Stanwell Corporation has signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with Quinbrook Infrastructure Partners to position the Stanwell power station as a hub for battery innovation. Under the MoU, Stanwell and Quinbrook will pilot one of the world’s first 8-hour duration battery systems at the Stanwell coal-fired power station site near Rockhampton. Unlike conventional large batteries, which offer up to 4-hour duration, the EnerQB battery is designed specifically for 8-hour operation, offering transformative potential for firming renewable energy and supporting industrial growth. Queensland Treasurer and Energy Minister David Janetzki says...